Alexa+, Amazon’s upgraded AI assistant, combines the classic Alexa smart speaker skills with advanced AI features, including more human-like conversation thanks to multimodal perception (it can see and understand your surroundings through cameras) and better natural language understanding. Alexa+ is also deeply integrated across devices so it’s the household hub.
While Alexa+ is still in the public testing phase — up until now, you could only get it via early access — I've been using it for the past few months. We're expecting to hear more about it at the Amazon Devices & Services event today, but it's already been really helpful in my house.
Those familiar with Alexa+ probably imagine it setting timers, controlling the lights and playing music on-demand. But Alexa+ has essentially become our family’s “Rosie” — you know, from the Jetsons?
In fact, beyond all the “normal” ways to put Alexa+ to work, my family has been using the assistant in some surprisingly conventional ways. It’s made daily life easier, funnier and even productive. Here are my five favorites at the moment:
1. My personal cleaning coach
With Alexa+ on the Echo Show 21 as our main kitchen hub and other smart speakers throughout our home, I’ve been the assistant to help me clean. While it doesn’t actually roll up any sleeves and help me scrub, it does help me know where to start.
From my tween son’s room to the kitchen, I’ll literally ask, “What should I clean first?” and it will scan the room, prioritize the mess and give me a starting point. Although I find it helpful, it’s even better for my kids who need a little guidance. Alexa+ can point out when they’ve missed a spot, and for whatever reason, they respond better to it than me.
2. Texting announcements to my house
I can’t always count on my family to check their phones or wearables when I text. So, if I’m at the grocery store and need to know if we’re out of paper towels, I go to the Alexa+ app and tell it to make an announcement. Suddenly, “Mom is at the store and needs to know if we need more paper towels” is chimed through the house.
I’ve used it countless times. Just this weekend I was outside and noticed my kids had left their bikes in the middle of the driveway, but they were all inside playing video games. I told Alexa to announce that everyone needed to come out and clean up. It’s definitely a parent’s dream assistant for stuff like this.
3. Shazam on steroids
Forget just asking Alexa who sings a song. With Alexa+, I can sing a few lyrics (badly) or describe a TV show I half-remembering names of actors or plots, and it knows exactly what I mean.
It has become my go-to when I’m wracking my brain over a mystery tune or a “What was that show with the one guy from that other show?” kind of question.
4. A built-in babysitter for games
When everyone is starving and I can’t get dinner on the table fast enough, Alexa+ is the perfect distraction. While I’m cooking, Alexa+ keeps my kids entertained with quick games like rock, paper, scissors, 20 Questions, or even musical chairs. It tells stories and even listens to them and asks questions about their day. It’s fun to listen in on the conversation because sometimes they share silly stories with Alexa+ that they may not have come in conversation with me. It’s great to be able to focus on cooking without someone needing me every two minutes.
Disclaimer, my kids know that I test AI for a living, so they know I’m not a bad mom for letting them play with robots.
5. My mood DJ
One of the quirks I’ve come to love is how good Alexa+ is at setting a vibe. I can say, “Play a playlist for when I’m stressed but still need to fold laundry,” and it nails it. The random, in-the-moment playlists feel personal with a spot-on playlist.
Similarly, you can ask Alexa+ to give you a pep talk, generate a funny image or tell you a joke to start your day with a smile.
Bonus: Find my phone
This is a little embarrassing, but I use Alexa+ to find my phone. I’m the type of person who carries sticky notes around just to stay on task, so the second I get distracted, my phone ends up lost somewhere in the house.
Thanks to Alexa+, I don’t have to turn the place upside down; I just ask Alexa+ to call me, and it helps me track it down. This really only works if the phone isn’t silent.
Bottom line
I use Alexa+ all the time in ways that feel like a more helpful ChatGPT; it just seems more personal. From nailing the perfect playlist to getting my kids to clean their rooms, it’s become a priceless home assistant. It can even understand my four-year-old who has delayed speech, which is probably why he loves talking to it.
One feature I think it needs? The power to smell. How cool would it be if Alexa+ could know when you're about to burn those cookies or detect the gas stove is on? Either Amazon on Google Home needs to get on that feature.
Until then, I’m happy to be leaning on this AI assistant for little everyday wins.
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